Estate Planning

Estate Planning

The Law Office of Stephen T. Hodge offers assistance in all aspects of estate planning to clients located in Elk Grove and the greater Sacramento area. We recognize your wishes to preserve the assets you have accumulated through your hard work and sacrifice, and your desire to pass these on to your heirs when the time comes. Let us work together to prepare the necessary wills, trusts and other estate planning documents to secure the future of your family.


We can also prepare advance health care directives and durable powers of attorney so that your wishes on permissible medical treatment may be honored should you become incapacitated. Have our office draft these legal documents so that you can rest assured that your personal and financial matters are properly structured.

Wills

The Law Office of Stephen T. Hodge is an Elk Grove estate planning law firm. Attorney Hodge prepares wills and other estate planning documents for clients in the Sacramento area.


Wills may be the most well-known estate planning instrument because they can be simple and uncomplicated. Basically, a will documents how a person would like his or her estate to be divided upon death. In making a will, you can divide your estate equally between your heirs, bequeath more to certain heirs than others, or even give a specific asset—such as a sentimental item or a piece of real estate—to a particular individual.


What happens if you pass without a will? Under California's intestate succession laws, the state will divide your property according to a formula specified in the Probate Code. Accordingly, if you want a will that honors your wishes on how to distribute your estate, contact us to schedule a free no-obligation consultation.


Having a sound estate plan is important if you own real estate or wish to make a special bequest to a friend or relative. Additionally, if you recently had a child, got married or was divorced, you should consider updating your will to include the newest members of your family.

Will Preparation — Elk Grove, CA — Law office of Stephen T Hodge

Living Trusts

The Law Office of Stephen T. Hodge is an Elk Grove estate planning law firm that prepares trusts for clients from the Sacramento area.


As an experienced estate planning attorney, Stephen Hodge has prepared trusts for numerous clients. Trusts are an important component to a comprehensive estate plan and are used for tax-planning purposes, as well as to avoid the costs and inconvenience of probate.


Like a will, the living trust lets you specify how your property will be distributed upon your death. And like a will, you can amend your trust at any time. If you have any questions about the use of trusts in estate planning or what to learn how a trust may be appropriate for you, contact us to schedule a no-obligation initial consultation.

Powers of Attorney

Stephen T. Hodge is an experienced Elk Grove estate planning attorney who has prepared powers of attorney for clients throughout the Sacramento region. A power of attorney is a vital estate planning document that specifies your healthcare wishes and appoints a person to make financial and personal decisions on your behalf should you suffer an accident or illness that leaves you unconscious or unable to understand or communicate your wishes.


The Law Office of Stephen T. Hodge will work with you to write your advance health care directives and financial powers of attorney. While most of us may be in good health, none of us can predict when an unexpected illness or accident may strike. Don't delay in preparing these important instruments.

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